Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - May 2026

M AY 2 0 2 6 | A B A C O A & A LT O N N E I G H B O R S 9 – By Dan Hauser - - Photo by Neil Cohen Photography – “Really finding that person where they’re at and helping them calm down, reminisce about a memory, whatever it is. It’s a very therapeutic part of what we do,” he said. The organization serves nearly 1,900 individuals on any given day across both inpatient and in-home settings. Yet even with that reach, Du Chateau emphasizes that the approach remains deeply personal. “It’s hard to put words into what this organization means to the community and the people here without really touching and exploring it,” he said. One of the most impactful areas of Trustbridge’s work is its commitment to serving families during some of life’s most difficult moments—particularly through pediatric and bereavement care. He points to real-life experiences that illustrate the organization’s mission in action, highlighting the importance of providing not just medical care, but comprehensive support for entire families. “We had a mother who came in with a child who was nearing the end of life, and she had two other children as well,” Du Chateau shared. “We ensured that nothing was overlooked — she had housing, support, and a team surrounding her family every step of the way.” That level of care is made possible in part by the organization’s nonprofit structure and a community that believes in its mission. “The bottom line is not about the profit,” Du Chateau said. “It’s about the patient. It’s about the family.” This philosophy has helped establish Trustbridge as a leader in the region and, thanks to its partnership with Empath Health, allows that leadership to grow. Trustbridge remains rooted in Palm Beach and Broward counties while now connecting to a network of nonprofit hospices and services that share the same values. The partnership strengthens what Trustbridge already does well and allows the Foundation’s charitable impact to reach further. F or Don Du Chateau, the work at Trustbridge Hospice Foundation is not just a professional responsibility—it is deeply personal. Drawn to the organization through both experience and circumstance, Du Chateau leads with a perspective grounded in compassion, inclusivity, and purpose. “I came to Trustbridge because the mission of this organization is pretty amazing,” he said. “The mission here is to help those who need help, I mean, what more can you ask for in an organization like that?” That sense of purpose is at the heart of Trustbridge, one of the largest nonprofit hospice and palliative care organizations serving Palm Beach and Broward counties. And now, as Trustbridge joins the statewide Empath Health network, Du Chateau sees that mission expanding without losing the identity and heart that have guided the organization for nearly fifty years. “The focus on caring for the whole person is what resonates with me,” he said. “It’s care that surrounds the patient and the family, not just the diagnosis.” Being part of Empath Health strengthens that focus by connecting Trustbridge to broader clinical resources, specialized programs, and a statewide team that shares the same commitment to compassionate care. What has always made Trustbridge unique remains firmly in place. Now it is supported on a larger scale. Trustbridge’s model centers on a team- based approach that supports patients and families at every stage of care. From the initial phone call, individuals are connected to a team that works together to meet both medical and emotional needs. “You start with a phone call, and the phone call gets you a team,” Du Chateau explained. “A team of a social worker, a doctor, a nurse, a music therapist...you have somebody with you really 24-7.” That coordinated care extends across a wide range of services, including hospice care, palliative care, pediatric programs, bereavement services, and music therapy—an offering that Du Chateau notes is both unique and impactful. At the core of Du Chateau’s leadership philosophy is a commitment to inclusiveness—both within the organization and in the care it provides. “To me, leadership is one of inclusiveness,” he said. “We’re all leaders in this together.” Rather than viewing leadership as something tied to titles, Du Chateau sees it as something that exists throughout an organization. “I may have a title, but it’s all the people around me, the leaders,” he added. This approach creates an environment where collaboration and shared responsibility drive success, reinforcing the idea that strong teams—not individuals—are the foundation of effective leadership. “A true leader is one who lets his team grow and build around them.” Du Chateau’s leadership style has been shaped by the people he has worked with throughout his career, particularly early mentors who emphasized the importance of supporting others. “My first boss was the first one to say, ‘Don’t leave people behind,’” he said. “And I will never leave anybody behind.” That philosophy continues to guide how he develops talent and supports those around him. “I want the people who work with me to grow so much that they eventually outgrow their roles — because that means I’ve done my job. Grow, advance, become the leader you are meant to be.” It is a perspective rooted in long-term growth rather than short-term retention— one that prioritizes individual development and success beyond the organization. As Trustbridge continues to expand its impact across South Florida and embrace its next chapter as part of Empath Health, Du Chateau remains focused on what has always defined the organization, Compassion. Community. A promise to be there for families when they need it most. “There’s nothing that warms my heart more than this place, and it does it right,” he said. “We do it right.”